ICAST new stuff Special Issue! part 1

Can’t give you a rundown on everything that was there — can’t even do that for all the Blaster sponsors who bring you this zaniness every dang day (almost) — so just gonna call out some of the stuff that stood out to me.

As usual, the mighty Tackle Warehouse has what’s in stock that can be in stock and is a-takin’ orders for the rest. So save your pennies, start mowin’ lawns, do whatever it takes cuz you know we “need” this stuff!

This dude David MacDonald develops all the Lunkerhunt baits. You’d think he does that out on the water but nope, here’s where he works:

Once asked him, “Hey Dave, you guys got another topwater in the works?” He looked at me like this, then just walked away:

Hokay, guessing that’s a dumb question. The latest offerin’ from this mad scientist is the Yappa Series. When I saw them in pics, I was like: Okay, another take on a Jitterbug. Assumed the lip was hard but when I saw ’em in person:

Guessin’ that means less weed pickup, along with the frowg-like hooks. TW has ’em spit into Yappa Frogs, Bugs and Rats.

The Zoom Horny Toad is 4.25″, but most toads are 4″ and this one is too. But there’s something about the Tip Toad, size-wise. It feels different, and was designed to be different. Can rig it with a 4/0 or 5/0 hook or double hooks, alone or on a buzz.
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Bladed Jigs, Jigs, Spinnerbaits, Buzzbaits

Specifically designed to not hang up on wood, fished it when it was a prototype, for-real works and caught ’em. Also comes through other cover, but the biggest deal may be that it’s designed to stay DOWN (not come up) when retrieved.

Worth saying this: Whenever anyone that’s not Z-Man comes out with a bladed jig, it has to be different than a Chatterbait because of the Chatterbait patents. So If you’re looking for a Chatterbait or a better Chatterbait, get a Z-Man.

Possibly the best bladed jig ever, now in 1.25-oz. Brett “I’ll kill you when this bite is on” Hite swore to me it has the egg-zact same action as the lighter-weight ones. I was like, “Good, else it would be like fake Rambo vs the real one:”

You fished one of these yet? Bobby Lane told me it needs a small swimbait or other trailer on it to work best. Haven’t seen one of these baits get a high finish yet in a major derby, but there’s a reason it took years to develop so…. I admit I haven’t fished it enough, but the new colors should help: chart/white, bluegill and black/blue. Here’s FLWer Brandon Cobb learnin’ ya quick on ’em:

Crankbaits, Jerkbaits, Other Hard Baits

Been a saltwater staple, now hitting the fresh. Believe the deal with this is it swims different and has a neutral buoyancy — so if you stop the bait, it will stay there. Sizes 3.5-5.25″, runs about 3-4′ and of course amazing Yo-Zuri colors (“real smelt” in pic).

Now we get to find out how good the RipStop is. Last year Rapala came out with the 3.5″ version, too small for most of us to throw. Now they have a 4.75″ version so let’s go this fall mang!

3. Bill Lewis MR-6

Bill Lewis started with the lipless Rat-L-Trap but has branched out lately — this is its second lipped bait. “Heavy pro staff demand” is the reason for the MR-6, which runs about 6′ and comes with #4 Mustad Triple Grips.

In person it’s about the same size as a Rapala DT-6 but a little different shape, not sure about the action yet cuz haven’t fished it.

The new 55 has a shallower dive angle (dies 4-8′) so it “will be able to come through the rocks more like a squarebill crankbait….” Same wide wobble and hunting action, #5 Gamakatsu trebles, 8 colors to start.

Not sure if a ‘Trap is offered in the most colors of any bait, but there’s a TON…and 22 more coming, including some matte ones. Check the “Big Bones” series (left is “retro red bones” — yer droolin’ if you fish Rayburn or T-Bend!) and the “Clear Trap” series (right is “mean green tiger craw”). Tackle Warehouse has a bunch of ‘Trap colors but not these new ones yet….

3. Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill — This the first peacock bass color? “Magma peacock” (left) looks like would be a killer bluegill imitator, and then there’s “pink dragon gill:”

WTHeck Are These….

1. Cicadas — Not just one either. Duo Realis came out with the Koshinmushi Cicada Bug (top left), and Savage has a 3D Cicada Crawler (top right). Have never seen a bass eat a cicada, but those little garbage cans will eat anything I’m sure….

2. Topwaters — Jackall came out with the Chop Cut Propbait, which was in a Blaster a while back (and which I think can make sausage), and a bigger size of the paddlefish-looking Riser Bait.

of the best, worst and funniest in bassin’, as curated by me — Jay Kumar. I started BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a bunch more in bassin’. The Blaster is the #2 daily read on any given day in the wide world o’ bass so thanks for readin’!

The best, worst and funniest in bassin'! Jay Kumar is the guy who created BassFan.com, co-hosted Loudmouth Bass with Zona, was a B.A.S.S. senior writer and a whole lot more in bassin™. Make sure you sign up for the BassBlaster email!